A police officer who fatally crashed into a mother-of-three's car during a high-speed pursuit two days before Christmas has been acquitted of causing her death. PC Mark Burrows, 46, was driving an unmarked police vehicle in Oldham, Greater Manchester, when he collided with Heather Smedley's Peugeot 108 on December 23, 2022. The 53-year-old mother was turning right at the junction of Oldham Road and Otmoor Way in Royton when the unmarked car struck her, sending her hatchback into the air.
PC Burrows was pursuing a stolen Audi driven by Marcel Doyle, who later fled the scene. Despite paramedics and an air ambulance attending, Ms Smedley died at the scene. In July 2023, Doyle was sentenced to 14 years and 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, PC Burrows was charged with the same offence.
During a two-week trial at Chester Crown Court, PC Burrows denied causing death by dangerous driving and an alternative charge of causing death by careless driving. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the jury found him not guilty on both charges.
Prosecution Case
Jonathan Sandiford KC, prosecuting, told the jury that PC Burrows had initially followed the Audi in accordance with police training. However, he suggested that 'red mist' may have affected the officer's judgment, causing him to become overly focused on the pursuit and blind to hazards. The court heard that the stolen Audi reached speeds of around 80mph in a 30mph zone, while PC Burrows was driving at 64mph at the time of the crash after emergency braking.
Mr Sandiford argued that PC Burrows drove 'far below what is to be expected of a competent and careful police officer who had undertaken driver training.' CCTV footage showed the stolen Audi overtaking Ms Smedley's car on the wrong side of the road before the collision. PC Burrows followed the Audi on the incorrect side of the road, and the prosecution said he failed to notice Ms Smedley's lawful right turn.
Defence Argument
Samuel Green KC, representing PC Burrows, argued that the officer had been doing his 'level best' in a difficult situation. PC Burrows testified that he had activated his emergency equipment, including blue lights and a siren, and believed Ms Smedley had seen him and was yielding. He said he saw her brake lights come on and off before she turned, and he applied emergency braking as soon as he realised she was moving into his path.
PC Burrows wept as he gave evidence, stating: 'The next thing I saw was the Peugeot indicating at the point of turning before it moved into my path. I immediately applied emergency braking.' He maintained that he was positioned on the white lines to maximise visibility and was scanning for hazards.
Tributes and Aftermath
Ms Smedley's family paid tribute to her as 'the most wonderful mother,' describing her as 'the glue that held our family together.' They said: 'The world was a much better place with you in it.'
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes expressed condolences to Ms Smedley's family and noted that only one person was responsible for her death: Marcel Doyle, who is already imprisoned. He added: 'The impact of this incident on PC Burrows is lifelong and has been compounded by a criminal investigation. It is important officers are held to account for their actions, but are not fearful of the consequences of putting themselves in harm's way.'
